MERCER WINE ESTATES

Branding & Graphic Design intern

Washington State | April - September 2024

BRAND STRATEGY | DESIGN | HOSPITALITY

Spending the summer as an intern at Mercer Wine Estates and Mercer Ranches was an exciting opportunity to blend creativity and strategy within a fifth-generation, sustainability-driven winery and agricultural operation. My work focused on two key areas: assisting with the branding of a new hospitality tasting room and supporting the estate’s broader rebranding efforts.

Beginning with concept boards in 2023 and culminating in the 2024 grand opening, I contributed to transforming a historic 1918 bank into a vibrant tasting room in downtown Walla Walla. I assisted in guiding the brand vision from concept to execution—designing signage, developing creative materials, and helping ensure the space honored the building’s legacy while reflecting the estate’s evolving identity.

In addition, I assisted in Mercer’s rebranding efforts by establishing comprehensive brand guidelines, conceptualizing and redesigning wine labels, and capturing updated photography throughout the vineyards and ranch. These contributions supported brand consistency and enhanced Mercer’s visual presence across multiple touchpoints.

This internship deepened my passion for hospitality, design, and storytelling—and gave me hands-on experience building brand identity in a meaningful and immersive setting.

Outdoor signage

As part of Mercer’s new tasting room project in downtown Walla Walla, I had the unique opportunity to redesign the building’s original overhead sign. Originally part of the 1918 bank that now houses the tasting room, the sign is the only overhead sign permitted in the historic downtown district—grandfathered in under preservation regulations. Mercer is the sole business with this type of signage, making the redesign both a privilege and a creative challenge. My goal was to honor the sign’s historic character while aligning it with Mercer’s updated brand identity.